Electric switch.



` ELEcmc sw|TvcH. APPLICATION FAILED MAYSI, 19II...'

rammed Aug. 1o, 1915.

' SHEETS-SHEET l.

7 .my .......m'y/ s,

l V f/ f l -To`aZZ whom it 'may concern:

Be it known that CHARLES J. KLiiiN,

narra sa',

- /y CHARLES KLEIN, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THECUTLEB-HAMMEB I' MFG. C0., OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OFWISCONSIN.

meegaan.

unicornio SWITCH.

` Appiicatiqn aies May ai, i911. seriai No. 630,389.

acitizen of vthe United States,.residing at Milwaukee,'in 'the county ofhl/'Jilwaulree and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Electric Switches,

of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and eXact description,reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification.

.My invention relates to electric switches. .One of the objects of myinvention is to .j provide an improved electric switch.

Afurtherv object of my invention is to provide an improved switch unitwhich is ciona'plete in itself and capable of being 'readily insertedinvarious forms of switchl"In "the accompanying drawings.il-lustratedftwo. forms which my invention 'mayassiime in practice. Myinvention is ,nothowever limited inl its use toA these parvticular formswhich have been chosen for ingdeyees and which is of an exceedingly y i4ompact, serviceable and unitary construc- .pzog i v .v

Other objects I y and advantages of my in ventlon will hereinafterappear.

' lpurposes of illustration, but is capable of being used in variousother relations and of yao assuming variousother forms,

IIn the views .of the drawing, lFigure l shows a perspective view of aswitch unit.

lFig. 2 shows a transverse sectional view of ==the switch unit inposition in a surface switch casing. Fig. 3 shows a longitudinalsectional View of ,the construction shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows amodified form of unit in position in a modified form of casing(4 Fig. 5shows aside elevation of the '.unitshown in Fig. 4 with a transversesec- 'tion of the casing. f

The construction Vshown in Figs. 1 to 3 will be first considered. Theswitch mechi.' anism employed is preferablyof the type described in mypreviously granted Patent No.A v985,241 patented 'February 28, 1911.'

'This mechanism .includes 'a reciprocable cam .member 1 having theconformation of a A.double frustuin positioned base tobase and :fcarriedupon afcentrally disposed threaded f shaft 2-carryinfg upon its oppositeends re- V' 'movable push buttons of' a smaller di- --aineter-tlian thediameter ofA the,`eiidsv of In a preferred form the :shaft 2isi'ixedfwithin one o f the push but- I have 630,388, filed May 31,1911, and containing a helical spring 5 is arranged -to be reciprocatedupon movement of the cam member to make or break the electrical circuitwith a quicksnap action when the garter spring moves across the crest ofthe cam-l. i

The switch mechanism is carried iii a suit- -ab`le frame which isprovided with means for carrying the parts of the switch mechanisin andguiding and limiting the same in their operations, as well as means forconveying the current to the contact parts so that when ,in position .inthis frame the switch mechanisi` vfoi-ins a complete unit. In apreferred foi-inthe frame is provided with two end portions 6 and 'l'which are adapted to permit the reciprocation of the push buttonsthrough the same and serve to establish the limits of travel of'theoperat` ing parts and to provide suitable contact surfaces withwhich the moving contact member may engage. The end 6 on the frame ispreferably foi-ined of stamped sheety metal of the construction shown inFig. l, being provided with a tapering portion or extension 8 bentoutward as illustratedI in that figure and provided with a flange 9 atits end surrounding a perforation through which one of the push buttons3 extends. This perforation is of a sufficient size to permit the pushbutton tobe reciprocated through the same, but is not of a suflicientsize to permit the tapered end of the cam member to move through thesame so that the lange') serves as a stop for the cam member in thisposition. In a preferred forni side pieces l0 are formed integral withthe end member G. These sides pieces connect the end member 6 withtlie'end member 7 and preferably-extend above and below the contacter 4as illustrated in Fig. l. The end member 7 is preferably formed o-f.insulating material suchv for example as moldedstone,` rubber orlliber, and is of a.

yber l. As shownin Fig. lli-this end member is also provided atits.sides with suitable 'slots l2 arranged to receilve the reduced ends 13of the sides 10. ,Tin/ forderte secure the extremities of the parts 13to the end member 7 and so attach the parts of the frame as to make itform a unitary construction, I preferably provide a binding plate 14 onthe outer surface of the end member 7 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Thisend member 14 is provided with a central perforation arranged to permitthe reciprocation of the push button through the same, but which is notof sutlicientsize to permit. the tapered end of the cam 1 through thesame so that this binding plate serves as a stop for the cam member. Infa preferred form the ends of the reduced portions 13 of the sides 10 arereceived in suitable openings near the ends of the plate 14 and arespread or riveted in the same as illustrated at 15 in Fig. 2. Theterminal members for the switch are carried on the inner surface of theend member7 and preferably consist of terminal plates 16 arrangedparallel to each other -on opposite sides of the member 7 extendingsubstantially at right angles to the sides 10. The plates 16 arepreferably carried in suitable grooves 17 in the sides of the member 7and in a preferred form the outer edges of the member 7 are cutaway asillustrated at 1S to permit theedge of the contactor to move along theouter surface of the terminal plates. Inra preferred form the terminalplates 16 are lprovided with inte- @gral projections or legs 19 whichpass through the` member 7 and are preferably riveted to the outersurface of terminal plates 20. As illustrated in Fig. 2 these ter` minalplates 20 are preferably of aconformation adapted to fit around arounded portion 21 on the binding plate 14 which surrounds theperforation through which the push button is reeiprocated and theterminal plates 20 are also preferably set in suitable recesses 22 onopposite sides of the outer surface of lthe member 7; Theterminal'plates 20 are also provided at their outer ends with bindingscrews 23 arranged to be suitably connected to a circuit and are alsoequipped with angularly disposed lugs 24 to enable a ready connection ofthe conductorsl to the binding screws.

In Figs. 2 and 3 I'ha've illustrated. my im proved switch unit 1nposition in a surface switch casing "of'. su'bstantaally rectangularshape.. As illustrated-the 'unit isso placed i sol in a suitable base-25that one of its sides `10 lies flatupon the bottom ofthe same -iniy 'ajsuitable' 'recess 26. In a preferred 1 formthis side 10- is secured .tothebottom of vthe chamber by a screw 27 arranged tofits" opposite side.

recesses 30 are Slightly rounded as illus#` trated in Fig. 2 in order toprevent the Wear on the conductors. Since the end of the binding plate14 may extend beyond the portion 13 of the side 10, a suitable recess 31may be provided in the bottom of the chamber 26 near one end of the sameto house the end of this plate as illustrated in Fig. 3. In order toreceive the extension or tapering wall of the chamber 26 may be cut awayas 80g portion 8 on the end 6 of the frame, the epd shown at 32. Inorder to protect the parts of the switch unit when in position in thebase, a suitable cover may be provided. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3this cover may consist of an outer metallic casing 33 of substantiallyrectangular cross section arranged to have its edges rest on flanges 34formed around the edges of the base 25. In a Apreferred form this cover33 is provided with an insulatinglining which is crimped in the coverand fits snugly within the same and the coverand lining are providedwith suitable slots 36 arranged to permit the same to be slipped overthe push buttons,

and suitable means such as a screw 37 for.

of the'frame 10 are held in position and se cured to the end member 7 bya binding plate of a diferent construction from that heretoforedescribed, in this instance-thev binding plate 38 having an archedportion which is provided With a central perforatlon land fiange similarto the perforation and flange of the extension 8. .In this form theterminal members are also of a different construction since instead ofbeing provided with terminal plates on the back'ofthe end member 7 theyare provided with lateral extensions 39 .which are bent substantially atright angles to the body portion of the termmal members and are providedat their ends with binding screws and connecting ears similar to thoseheretofore described.

In applying this construction to service I may place the unit in atubular insulating shell 40 having suitable perforations 41 in When theunit has been placed in position in the shell so that the perforationsin the opposite ends of the' frame register with the pertorations inlthe shell 40, ythe push buttons 3 are screwed in position and theswitch mechanism is accurately held Ain the desired place in the shell.Thus it is seen that the switch mechanism may be readily. inserted inany shell or receptacle by simply boring holes in the-opposite sides ofthe same, inserting the switch mechanism until the holes register withthe perforations in the frame of the switch mechanism and later screwingin the Vpush buttons. It isobvious that any form of receptacle may beused which is desired and that when for instance an insulating shell isused the entire shell with the unit switch mechanism inside of it may ifdesired be 1nser'ted in a. suitable outer receptacle such for.

either against the flange 5) on the end membei' 6 or the edge ofthe'pcrfora'tion in the binding plate 14. As the cam member is moved thecontactor i is reciprocated in an opposite direction moving with a quicksnap action in this direction when the garter spring is passed over thecrest of the cam member. This contactor reaches one of its limits ottravel either against the inner surface of the end member G as shown inFig. 1 or against the terminal contacts 16 as shown in Fig. 3 atsubstantially the same time that the cam member reaches its limit oftravel. Thus it is seen that the frame comprising the end members G and7 and their connecting parts 'serves as a means for guiding theoperating member and a. means for limiting the movement of the operatingmembei and the movable contact member.

liy my improved construction l have provided 'a very compact switch unitwhich is capable of being used in various relations wherever a singleunitary construction is desired. Further the unit is of such a compactand serviceable construction that the switch mechanism occupies a verysmall space and is adapted to long use in service. As illustrated in thevarious forms described in this application, the unitary switchmechanism herein described may find various uses in the art, and may bereadily adapted with lslight modifications to any use Wherein a compactand unitary construvction is desired. i

\Vhile l have in this application described the specific. constructionof several` forms which my invention may assume in practice, I havechosen these forms only as means of illustrating the principle of myinvention, and do not Wish tf be limited 'to the 'specific constructionsherein described,

but rather wish to .cover allof the various 7 modifications of the samewhich my invention is capable of assuming and whichv fall within thescope of the appended claims..

lVhat I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is as follows7 l. Ain electric switch unit comprising end members, means connectingthe same to form a frame, an insulating block carried in one end of saidframe. contacts carrie'd by said block. and a switch mechanism movablein 3 said frame to engage said contacts.-

Q. An electric switch unit comprising end members, means connecting the'same to form a frame, an insulating blOCkcarried in `one end of saidframe, contacts carried by 8 said block, a snap switch mechanism'movable in said frame toengage said contacts, and terminal membersforsaid 'switch mechanism. i 3. An electric switch unit comprising end 9members, means connecting the same to form a frame, an insulating blockcarried in oneA end of said trame, contacts carried on said insulatingblock, a snap switch mechanisminovable in said frame to engage said 9contacts, and terminal inembers for said switch mechanism carried bysaid block.

4. An electric switch unit comprising end members, means connecting thesame to form a frame, an insulating block carried in 1 one end of `saidfiaine,icontacts carried by said block, and a snap switch mechanismmovable in said frame to engage said contacts, said switch mechanismhaving its operating member guided and limited in its 1 movement by saidframe.

5. An electric switch uniciisoinprising end members, means connectingthe samel to form a frame, an insulating block carried in one end ot'said frame, contacts carried on i. said block, and a snap switchmechanism movable in said frame to engage said contacts, said switchmechanism. having its op erating member extending through said endmembers and saidinsulating block. 1

G. An electric switch unit comprising an end member, a substantially Ushaped member having -its endsfextending throughthe n ends of said endmember and coperating therewith/to `torni a frame, an insulating l,

block carried in one end of said frame, contacts carried on saidinsulating block, and a snap switch mechanism movable in said frame toengage said contacts.

7. An electric switch unit comprising end 1 members having openingstherein, side members connecting the same to form the frame y aninsulating block carried in one end ci I vsaid frame, contacts carriedby said insulating block, and a snap switch mechanism l movable in saidframe to engage said con tacts, said switch mechanism having its0perating-memberv passing through said block and said end members andguided and limited in its movement by the latter. .L r

8. In an electric-.switch device, a push button operated snap switchmechanismfend members guiding and limiting the movement of said switchmechanism,` side members connecting said end members to form a frame,and a two-part casing attached to and inclosing said switch mechanism.

9. In combination, a substantially flat base lhaving a conductor inlettherein, a switch unit carried thereby, said switch unit having itsterminals adjacent said inlet, and a cover for said switch unit, saidcover and said base each being removably attached to said unit.

10. In combination, a base having a recess in one of its faces andconductor grooves communicating therewith, a switch unit set in saidrecess and having its terminals adjacent said conduct/.0r grooves, and acover for said switch uni-t fitting snugly around the walls of saidrecess, said .cover and said base being attached to opposite sidQS Q'fsaid unit.

11. In combination a 'base 'having a recess in one of its faces and apair of parallel ver.-

tically extending recesses communicating therewith, a switoh unitcomprising a -frame and a Switch mohanism movable therein, said switchunit being-"55Min 'Said recess in the" face of said base and'lavigitsterminals adjacent said vertically disposed recesses: and a cover forsaid switch unit snugly tting around the Walls of Said recess, saidcover and said base bein attached to said unit frame on ,opposite Si eSOf the Same- 12. In an electric switch device, a. reciproA eating cammember having removable push- In witness whereof, I have hereunto sub`.scrlbed my name'in thepre'sence of two wlt-r nesses. I Y

l CHARLES J. KLEIN. Witnesses:v y

J S. BROCK, Gao. HAYNEs.

